FAQ PAGE
Q. Will we see seals?
A. YES!! That's what we are all about, seal spotting, otter spotting, sea bird spotting . All the trips include sightings of many common seals both in the water and on the rocks. Pups are especially popular (June - July). Grey Seals are seen in the spring and autumn. Kyle is one of the best places for seeing seals in Skye and Lochalsh. Seals are seen 99.99% of the time.
Q. Will we see Otters?
A. Lochalsh is the best place in our area for Otter spotting, with many individuals inhabiting the coastline. Hot spots for seeing them are well known to the Atlantis crew, and we will always do our best to get you a sighting of these elusive creatures.
Our average sighting is 1 a day.
Q. Is the Seaprobe suitable for children?
A. Yes, children love the trips and are always most welcome onboard. There is nothing we like more than to hear the enthusiastic and excited voices of kids in the underater viewing gallery. The Atlantis has high guard rails all round keeping your children safe and of course we carry all the statutory safety equipment.
Q. Do you do trips outwith the advertised hours.
A. Yes. Please get in touch if you have an idea for a special cruise or have a look at the Wedding, Coaches and Corporate sections of the website.
Q. Do you serve refreshments onboard ?
A. Yes, we have a little servery area where we can provide hot chocolate, coffee and tea. We also have cake & biscuits, as well as a range of souvenirs to remind you of your trip.
Q. Will I be seasick?
A. No.!!! Since 1998 we have not had a single person sick on the boat, and we have done thousands of trips in that time. This is because of a combination of factors. Lochalsh is in a very sheltered location and the boat has a very low centre of gravity this means you do not feel the motion associated with sea sickness.
Q. Can we ask questions on the trip?
A. Yes, as many as you want. That's what we are here for. We provide a running commentry throughout the cruise and happily encourage questions, it makes the trip more interesting.
Q. We are coming a long way, are we guaranteed a seat?
A. It is best to phone before departing on a long journey, that way we can reserve your seats and ensure you get on board. During peak periods particularly Easter, July & August it is essential to phone ahead. 0800 980 4846
Q. Can I get my wheel chair onboard?
A. Unfortunately due to the UK class VI ship design regulations, certain constraints have been imposed on the design of the Atlantis, making it impossible to get an occupied wheelchair onboard. We are able to get wheel chairs down our ramp to the boat, and if you are able to take a few steps it is possible to get onboard. Alot of people have already done it. Collapsable whellchairs can be carried onboard.
Q. Who was the crew man, he was so informative and helpful
A. It depends when you come!. All our crew are friendly and informative with a keen desire to help you get the most from your trip onboard the Atlantis.
Calum, who is semi-retired ( top chef, restauranteur and merchant seaman/ catering officer in a former life) , crews on Saturdays and some Fridays.
Welcome back to Philip for the 2008 season - Internet entrepeneur and fishing and wildlife guide
Willy, (Active Crofter, and retired Merchant Seaman & Marine Engineer) one of the exceptionally experienced Mariners in Skye and Lochalsh. Willy is Captain of the Seaprobe Atlantis on Fridays, any Wedding cruises and the occassional unusual requests which requiring his wealth of experience & local knowledge.
Nigel (owner of the seaprobe), skippers the boat most days and crews when Willy is driving.
Q. How safe is Seaprobe?
A. The award winning Seaprobe Atlantis is totally unique, custom built, and the only semi-submersible glass-bottom class VI passenger ship in the UK, and is the result of 3 years design and development. The ship has been designed by Naval Architects and constructed to the highest possible standards of safety and quality. Design and construction has been approved and supervised by Lloyds of London and the highest safety and operational standards applied my the Maritime Coastguard Agency. The Seaprobe crew are highly trained and experienced individuals, who carry out monthly safety drills and annual exercises with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. We carry every conceivable item of safety equipment onboard - 2 x 65 man liferafts, a full compliment of lifejackets for adults & children, flares, epirbs, sarts, doubled up navigational equipment, 4 hand held dsc vhf radios and 1 dsc main station, first aid kits, thermal protective aids, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, smoke and heat detectors, bilge pumping arrangements both automatic and manual, 2 anchors, radar, engine spares and tools, man over board recovery equipment, fog horn, search light etc etc!! Apart from statutory annual inspections of the ship by the coastguard agency,
We are also randomly inspected at any time ( without prior notice) by the Marine Coastguard Agency. We have always passed every spot check since 1998.
Please be assured that your safety is of paramount importance to us.
Q. Do you see seals every trip?
A. 99.9% of the time, yes. There are some factors outside our control that can affect seal behavious. One Is disturbance by Kayaks! and the other is heavy rain fall, both of these make the seals leave the rocks and return to the water.
Atlantis is one of the few top, award winning boat trips in Skye and Lochalsh and the ONLY semi-Submersible Glass Bottom Boat in the UK.. and apart from the 'very' (very) odd day, seals are seen EVERY trip.
Our Postal address is :
Seaprobe Atlantis glass bottom boat,
Tourist Information Centre,
The Car park,
Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8AQTel: 01471 822716
Email : seaprobe@msn.com
